English Premier League Table Week 9: Updated Top Contenders for Title

Another exciting week of Premier League action has concluded, and the top title contenders are still sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League table.

After the top seven teams or so, there's a clear delineation between contenders and those teams fighting to remain a threat to play spoiler. While there's still a chance for a few of those teams to make a run at the title, it remains unlikely. The clubs at the top are simply too strong.

It will certainly be an exciting end to the season given the competitiveness of the clubs at the top. There are seven teams that could realistically make a run at the Premier League title, and the next couple of weeks could have major implications on the remainder of the season.

The top contenders after Week 9 have put themselves just a few steps above the rest. They'll likely remain that way, barring any major shake-ups in the immediate future.

Tottenham

Tottenham has played exceptionally well through eight weeks, and its most recent win was a decisive 2-0 victory over Aston Villa. While an underachieving club this year, Aston Villa is still no easy club to defeat.

Currently ranked No. 5 on the Premier League table, Tottenham has a goal differential of plus-three and five wins on the season. With one draw and two losses, the club has the same line as Manchester City. That being said, Manchester City has a goal differential of plus-11 and ranks one spot higher on the table.

Tottenham wins games because of the goalscoring of Gylfi Sigurdsson and Roberto Soldado. They are the major components of the offensive attack and will cause problems for opposing clubs.

There are only a few teams capable of taking down Tottenham. Its two losses this season came at the hands of Arsenal—the team currently ranked No. 1 on the table—and West Ham, while its one draw came against Chelsea. Aside from the slipup at West Ham, Tottenham has only had problems against top-notch clubs.

Its ability to win those games moving forward will decide their fate but, regardless, Tottenham will be in contention for the title.

Arsenal

Arsenal has some of the best goalscorers in the Premier League, and their goal differential of plus-nine is a direct reflection of their strong attack.

Aaron Ramsey has five goals and three assists and is the team's leader offensively. He's followed closely by the likes of Olivier Giroud with four goals and four assists, though Ramsey is by far the team's most lethal scorer.

Arsenal has just one loss and one draw on the year, and their skills offensively have been the difference-maker for them this season. Goaltender Wojceich Szczesny has been great, allowing just nine goals and saving 26 shots.

There may not be a team in the Premier League at this point that poses a real threat to Arsenal. They are a fantastically built club that has everything working through eight weeks. There's always a chance that some of the teams ranked below them can give them a run for the title but, at this point, it really does seem like Arsenal's to lose.

Their match against Liverpool on November 2 will be one of the most important games of their season, but Week 9 leaves them with a match against Crystal Palace—a team that is ranked No. 19 in the Premier League table.

Liverpool

Liverpool is one team that can really give Arsenal a run for the title, as it has the best goalscorer between the two in Daniel Sturridge. He has seven goals in Premier League play, and he's tallied two assists for good measure. 

Luis Suarez's three goals rank him second behind Sturridge on the club; however Sturridge is the guy that opposing clubs need to focus on defensively. If teams can slow down his production, then there's a much better chance of defeating Liverpool.

That being said, scoring on Liverpool is no easy feat. Goaltender Simon Mignolet has 32 saves and just seven goals allowed. He's been a rock in goal for Liverpool and will play a key role in keeping his club near the top of the table.

The key for Liverpool will be defeating Arsenal on November 2. A draw would do enough to prove that they can hang with Arsenal, but a win would prove that they are worthy contenders of the Premier League title.

Week 9 pits them against West Brom—a club they should have no problems disposing of.